1] The story of this fable has been used by most of the fabulists, from Aesop
downwards.

2] In the original editions this fable is dedicated “A. M. D. M.” which initials stand
for “To M. De Maucroix,” Canon of Rheims, an early and late friend and patron of the poet. See Translator’s
Preface.

3] Old Malherbe and young Racan. — French poets. Malherbe was born in 1556, and
died in 1628. La Fontaine owed to Malherbe’s works the happy inspiration which led him to write poetry. See
Translator’s Preface. Honorat de Bueil, Marquis de Racan, was born at La Roche Racan in 1589. As a poet he was a pupil
of Malherbe. His works were praised by Boileau, and he was one of the earliest members of the French Academy.

6] Boss. — A word probably more familiar to hod-carriers than to lexicographers;
qu. derived from the French bosseman, or the English boatswain, pronounced bos’n? It denotes
a “master” of some practical “art.” Master Belly, says Rabelais, was the first Master of Arts in the world. —
Translator. The name used by La Fontaine is “Messer Gaster.” To which he puts a footnote stating that he meant
“L’estomac.” He took the name from Rabelais, Book IV., ch. 57, where it occurs thus:— “Messer Gaster est le premier
maître ès arts de ce monde. . . . Son mandement est nommé: Faire le fault, sans delay, ou mourir.”

7] Menenius. — See Translator’s Preface.

8] Rome. — According to our republican notions of government, these people were
somewhat imposed upon. Perhaps the fable finds a more appropriate application in the relation of employer to employed.
I leave the fabulists and the political economists to settle the question between them. — Translator.

13] Pandora’s box. — Pandora, the Eve of the Grecian mythology, was sent to
earth with all the human ills and Hope in a box, whence all but Hope escaped. — Vide Elton’s Hesiod, Works
and Days, I. 114, Bohn’s edition, &c.

26] A vast variety of cases. — Chamfort says of this passage: “La Fontaine,
with his usual delicacy, here alludes to the king’s farmers and other officers in place; and abruptly quits the subject
as if he felt himself on ticklish ground.”